Taking Stock of our results 2024!

If I were to ask you some of the significant results of your faith in Christ Jesus and the outcome of your commitment to Church activities, I am not sure if I am prepared for all the answers. Faith in Christ has become a set of schedules or just the fact you are called a Christian. Christian life is shaped in the form of attending Church on Sunday, being part of fellowships, pay your tithes, have tea parties but what is the result of all of this?

Commenting to one of my Christian blogs that I referred to the ABC (Attendance, Building and Cash) Model through which we usually measure the success of our Church, my friend from Zambia stated how Christendom has misunderstood the true result of being a Christian today. He said, “Today’s Church is also related with three B’s as in Buildings, Banks & Bodies (as a membership of success in ministry).”. This is recognized as success and receive admiration for churches where it’s a matter of biological, generational membership rather than new converts through discipling.

Today’s Christians are excited with entertainment over results. We are carried away by the Pastor, the worship team, the musicians, the church activities, the buildings, the pulpit and the Church facility rather than expected results of the true concept of Church. We have become neither the Salt (Matt 5:13) nor the light (Matt 5:14) of the earth. Forget about becoming a little leaven (Gal 5:9), fragrance (2 Cor 2:15) dragnet (Matt 13:47-50) and many other examples the Bible refers to in terms of Christ Mission to the world.

For people who take their Mission seriously, they want big, specific outcomes... not just random ideas and inspiration. Sure, listening to your favorite Pastors, podcasts, scavenging on Google, and joining dozens of email lists is good for information. Carey Nieuwhof states, “Anyone can spit out random content and make it entertaining these days.”. It is so true in current Christendom where all is entertainment and merchandise. 

So how does a true Church share the gospel, build practical skills and habits of an evangelist, being a witness, can get the results you want? If we were to analyze the top three messages of the Church this whole year, it would be 1. “Come”, “Come” and “Come”, 2. “Give”, “Give” “Give” and 3. Be part of some fellowship. People who don’t feel the connect with the Church are thrown into a guilt trip by saying that they are dishonoring the sabbath, Holy day, reverence to the Lord, holy Sanctuary and so on. We compare today’s Church to the tabernacle and Solomon’s temple to prove our point. In all of this we never feel the alarm that there are members in the Church who have not shared the gospel to even one person and surprisingly, there will be some pastors in this category. There is never a sense of remorse or shame for having violated God’s command of the Great Commission.

Jesus’ 1-12-72 Model is found in Luke 8:1; Luke 9:1; Luke 10:1, which I have brought to your attention repeatedly. Jesus being a leader kept going to villages, towns and cities to share the good news. Later, He appoints 12 as a leadership team and sent them and finally sent also 72 people (in local version 70) two by two. Now my questions are,

·      Is this model happening in your Church?

·      Is your pastor still practicing evangelism and sharing with the non-Christians?

·      Have your Church leadership found time from managing money and facility to sharing the gospel like the 12 Disciples?

·      Does the 72 (the big crowd) replicate the Church going out and sharing the gospel? 

If this ‘1-12-72’ categories are not active in your church, you can count your Church as a dead church. If my Master, Christ Jesus was fully active taking the gospel to relative and friends, then what gives us the audacity to warm the pews in the Church singing Amazing Grace. Dear friends, I implore you to confess your failures for not having shared the gospel this year and make amends by sharing the same this Christmas season, which is a great initiator for gospel conversation. Information and entertainment are good, but result is what the Lord is looking for. 

 

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The other side of the Church- Jesus’ Model!

A well-established famous in the locality is our idea of Church whereas it was very different for Jesus. The local synagogue in Jesus’ time was so self-involved that they failed to notice Jesus, who is the true temple. Jesus in whom we live, move and have our being (Acts 17:28) is the fulfilment of all promises. Some chose to follow the mobile temple - Jesus and followed Him, while many chose to stay within the four walls of the synagogue for affiliation and perks. We see this in the story of the man born blind (John 9:22). Temple affiliation and approval overtook the mission of Jesus which is still cancerous among churches today.

There are few passages that show Jesus not being excited about large crowds gathering in a locality. In Matthew 8:18 it is recorded, “when Jesus saw a large crowd around Him, he gave the order to go to the other side of the sea.”. Does this mean Jesus was afraid of crowds? Of course not. It would have been easy for Jesus to stay with this crowd like our churches today. Rather He ordered the disciples to go to the other side.  Similarly, Gospel of Mark records a scenario where Jesus along with His disciples stayed in a place and early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, went out and made His way to deserted place; and there He was praying. Simon and his companions searched for Jesus and when they found Him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” The Bible records Jesus replying, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. That is why I have come.” (Marks 1:35-38). 

Is Jesus teaching us something here? Today, we are happy to set up a facility in a locality where crowds come and call it a Church. We are excited to serve them, pray for them, pray for their sickness and their well-being and do a self-help program. It compels us to create an institution and increase our wealth though offerings and tithes. This becomes the definition of a successful Church, which I call it as ABC Model - Attendance, Building and Cash. We revel in the soaring attendance, splendid building and stabilized fund flow.

Consumerism culture has infiltrated our Churches where people want to receive benefits. In John 6:1 it is recorded ‘that a huge crowd was following him because they saw the signs that he was performing by healing sick’. Then there is the miracle of five barley loaves, and 2 fish which was blessed and 5000 men with their families were satisfied. The story continues to state that the people wanted to make Jesus the king. However, Jesus reacted by slipping from the crowd to a lonely place in the mountain. They followed Him in boats to Capernaum. John 6:26 states “Truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs but because you ate loaves and were filled.”.  He warns them and asked to look for food that will lasts for eternal life (John 6:27). Today, we are excited with signs and healing as it guarantees huge crowd following eventually making us rich and famous.

Jesus was not running philanthropy or healing crusades. “Jesus came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). This requires us to step out of our comfort zone, i.e. the Church. Please do not misread me that it’s wrong to go to Church. My desire here is to redefine the meaning of Church. Statistics say 95% Christians or more have never shared the gospel even once in their lifetime as they have found comfort within the four walls of the Church. As leaders of the Church, we are supposed to empower and help believers to reach out to the lost. Like how Jesus did in Luke 8:1. He was travelling to towns and villages, preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God, and then appointed 12 disciples and sent them in Luke 9:1, and finally in Luke 10:1 added 72 more people (70 in local versions) and sent them two by two. I call it as Jesus 1-12-72 model. 

Being church leaders, how will an honest analysis of the condition of your church make you feel? Content or miserable? Unless you share the good news as a pastor, your Church elders/leadership share the gospel which influences your congregation to share the gospel, revival will be far-fetched. You will exist with good funds, but you will be a dead church.

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Dare to correct your misinterpretations!

 

If all that is required in Christian life is that you have significant faith, to get whatever you want, claim what you desire, conquer any mountain, heal all sickness and raise the dead, then you are not any less than a god. And by this standard, you should not die too. Do you realise how people are seen contradicting with God and the theology of the Bible? Think about it! Let’s analyze few prominent verses that are recurrently misinterpreted and used out of context to support our selfish motives. 

Allow me to discuss the “faith of a mustard seed.” 

“And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. (Luke 17:6 KJV)

Jesus said this in a context explaining about forgiveness in the 17:3 of the same chapter. He chose to use this tree as an example of bitterness and unforgiveness in Luke 17:6. In that verse, Jesus told His disciples, “… If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you”. Notice what Jesus said, “…Ye might say unto this sycamine tree.…” The word “this” indicates that Jesus was pointing out something very specific to them. The sycamine tree was known to have one of the deepest root structures of all trees in the Middle East. It was a vigorous and robust tree that grew to a height of thirty feet or more with its roots going down deep into the earth. It was very difficult to kill. Hot weather and blistering temperatures had little effect on this tree because it taps into a water source down deep under the earth. Even cutting it to its base would not guarantee its death because its roots, hidden deep under the ground, would draw from underground sources of water, enabling it to keep resurfacing again and again. In other words, this tree was very difficult to eradicate.

The bottom line is that the Lord isn’t saying that if you had the very least amount of faith then you could command sycamore trees to replant themselves into the ocean. Rather, Jesus is giving us an amazing example of faith that should be an encouragement to all who believe.  There are no incidents that someone exercised his/her faith to us this in literal terms.  Jesus' teachings and parables are meant to transform us in a specific manner.  Douglas  D Webster states this beautifully, "Parables are time bombs that only explode after they have penetrated our hearts. Their purpose is to turn admirers into followers."

Well,  if  you are steadfast to take such verses in a literal meaning, then how do you explain this verse: 

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him” (Luke 14:28-29)

Why Jesus had to give this piece of instruction to count the cost and plan a strategy in the first place before one starts to lay the foundation?  Shouldn’t the same emphasis on faith to move the mountains be working here too? We seem to confuse things and contradict what Jesus was emphasizing to something else that we think will work in a particular way and is fancy to our thinking process. This is called a bad theology.

It is important to translate most of the scripture portion based on the “Context” and “Content” failing which we will have our own takeaways which can be detrimental in the journey of faith. Let’s take this verse for example.

 “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20. While the disciples were unable to cast out the devil from the only child of the father, they approached Jesus disappointed, and He immediately rekindles the faith in them. 

As God’s children or servant, it is not your place to ask or worse to demand that God move a mountain for you. God is not your servant, slave, or puppet. That was never His purpose in calling you to be His servant.  If He tells you to move a mountain, then go tell that mountain to move by His authority knowing ahead of time that it will obey you. 

Are you aware there are Churches, pastors and many Christians who are going to the forest to catch venomous snakes and prove to people that they remain unharmed based on Jesus said in Mark 16:18 “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them…”.  Today, Christianity is also striving to be identified as a fancy religion as there are many Christians who have developed their own Bible interpretation. Lord have mercy on us! 

I keep saying this often in the passage where Hebrews 11 discusses about the heroes of faith were also people who did not get what was promised to them. Your faith should be on Christ preparing you for here and most importantly,  the eternity.  Don’t misread passages for your convenience and miss the whole point. The God who taught us various lessons on faith also said the following would happen: 

You will have suffering in this world (John 16:33)

You will be persecuted (Matt 10:22-23; 24:9, 11; 2 Tim 3:12)

You will be hated by people (Luke 21:17)

You may be thrown in prison (Revelation 2:10)

You will be brought before kings and governors (Luke 21:12)

Many will be killed for His name’s sake (Matthew 24:9)

Will be betrayed by own family members (Luke 21:16-18)

Seek God for answers especially, while you go through a difficult situation. Remember, everything happens for the glory of God. Sometimes He allows tough situations to shape us and transforms us into a new person with a heavenly perspective.  It's good to be reminded from the scriptures, when Paul went to the town they preached the gospel, they encouraged the disciples by telling this “it is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22. You continue to be a co-labourer in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9) for the mission Christ initiated i.e. to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)

 

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Mission to the unreached- The custodial dilemma!

 

Christian identity is one of the highest priorities in Christendom today.  Sentiments towards Church institutions, mission organizations, denominations, and Christian facilities is at its high and people are scrambling to protect it. On the other hand, there are the custodians of global missions adored and favored by people. It could be a mission leader, famous televangelist, person with gifts of healing, prophet, etc. Unfortunately, they are also fragmented to the point of showing superiority over one another in being authentic.  

Churches and organizations do believe that mission to the unreached is part of their denominational goals. Many of them have great strategy, funds, manpower, global connection, models, tools with a good Follower base. Surreptitiously, the models and concepts are given more attention and made popular than the mission towards reaching the unreached. The Christian leaders gain more following than God Himself.

I had already addressed in one of my blogs HERE on the incident of a slave girl in Acts 16:17. Though she was demon possessed she endorses what Apostle Paul was doing by crying out, “These men, who are proclaiming to you a way of salvation, are the servants of the Most High God.”. She was someone who was making huge profit for her master under the influence of this evil spirit. Apparently, Apostle Paul cast’s out the demon from her. To draw parallels, there are similar Christian leaders like the slave girl endorsing and propagating Christ’s mission with a questionable spirit. Money, power, falsehood has seeped into the mission world. Too many noises that needs to be well discerned and if needed stopped for good. 

Another incident on 1 Samuel 4 where the Philistines defeat Israel and four thousand men on the battlefield. In 1 Samuel 4:4 it is recorded, 'So the people sent men to Shiloh to bring back the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.' Eli’s sons were custodians of the ark of the covenant at this point, who were rogues by nature (1 Samuel 2: 12-17). They died of God’s judgement on them and the custodians of the Ark of the covenant were killed. The ark of the covenant was captured by the Philistines. 

How relevant it is in today’s scenario, where leaders project themselves as custodians of the mission camouflaging their selfish agenda. Christ’s mission has become their personal profit and enterprise. Apostle Paul brings an important principle while he writes in his letter to Galatians, 'because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.' Galatians 6:8. Today, it is so sad to see many organizations and Churches have their own numbers of accomplishments to promote, projects to sustain, models to sell and coalitions to benefit. Your mission can sound holy but at the end it may not serve the divine purpose if there is a hidden personal agenda. The Bible warns us that our works will be tried with fire. 1 Corinthians 3:13 states, “each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.”. God’s mission does not necessarily survive by our efforts.  “For we are God’s coworkers…”.  We are privileged to exist as coworker and work alongside. Churches are meant for this same purpose. If this is not the case, then we are not in the right direction. 

 

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What’s your influence – Merchandise or Mission!

The Great Commission is always the highest priority of every Church and Christians. Jesus constantly clarified this purpose during the three and a half years. He addressed the issue of the heart, moved us from ethical moral standard to becoming holy, redefined the meaning of worship, redesigned the meaning of Church (moving from locatable place to person), and making us His image bearers. God’s plan for man’s redemption through His son Jesus made all the difference who clarified His mission and the core priority, ‘to seek and save the lost’ which is also the mission for us all. Today, most of Christians and Churches are focusing on good moral living and commitment only to the Church’s obligation. The reality and the priority have been changed drastically. Weekly, monthly and yearly activities have been successful in bringing the Christian community together. The funny part is every Church or organization, or so-called Mission leaders are holding to parts convenient for their identification and security.

This is no compromise when it comes to holy life, but then becoming like Christ enables a person to also be His witness for Him, becoming a carrier of the gospel and a powerful influencer. Let me remind you to refocus on Christ’s primary Mission which is the ultimate core responsibility of every Christian.

 

Matt 15:24 “I was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Matthew 9:37-38 “Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

John 17:18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”  

John 20:21 “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”. (This is after resurrection)

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.". 

Matt 28:18 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,”

Jesus Christ’s Mandate is mandatory for all, and is therefore called 1. Great Commission Mark 16:15, Matt 28:18-19) and 2. Supplement commandment to the Great Commission, Acts 1:8 “you shall be witnesses to Me…”

Let me remind you of some of the metaphors Jesus used to help us understand that our life must add value to others and attract them to Christ who promised abundant life and eternal life. I am pointing out few metaphors, out of many that Jesus used. The first four what Christ described and the last two by Apostle Paul who continued to explain to us through metaphors.

1) Leaven 

Matthew 13:33 “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into fifty pounds of flour until all of it was leavened.”.  The little leaven that gets lost in 50 pounds close to 23 kgs and yet influences the whole flour. This resembles the Christian life. We are supposed to be like this powerful influencer. Brian Zahnd states, “We change the world, not in loud, forceful ways, but in quiet, hidden ways. We hide the kingdom leaven of gospel and grace in the three measures of mean around us- family friends and neighbors. Eventually things rise.”. 

2) Salt

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth.” (The most essential and important part in human life). It is very difficult to live without it. Salt is not expensive at all but it is crucial to add taste and flavor. Likewise, we are expected to add taste and flavor in the lives of people. 

3) Light

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world”. Today instead of becoming a light to show direction to people we want to be in the spotlight of being famous. Christ meant that this light should be powerful enough to evict all darkness from people’s life. In verse 16 the purpose is defined that people see our good works and glorify our father. 

4) Large net

Matt 13:47-48 “…Large net thrown into sea. It collected every kind of fish...”. You are a large net. Never forget this fact. To catch people of all kinds without being prejudiced.

5) Fragrance

2 Corinthians 2:15 “For God we are the fragrance of Christ…”.  With good perfume you are sure to catch attention of all the passersby. Similarly, if you have Christ in you then for sure you have the capacity to draw people to Him.

6) Epistle

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 An epistle where people find an opportunity to read us and know Christ. What are people reading from us. Is it the still gospel to lead them to life, or success, career, commodity, materialistic blessings, positive living, etc?

Study shows Jesus spent three and a half years, 1,230 days, visited close to 175 towns and villages in Galilee, and influenced approximately 200,000 people that is 162 people daily. There is no other purpose than influencing lives and drawing them to Christ. Stop merchandising mission, ministry and Church.

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Another Jesus!

We all understand that that there are different ways by which one finds Christ.  Example: through someone sharing the gospel, association with Christian friends, encountering Jesus through dreams & vision, gospel tracts, getting to read through the New Testament, making investigation of gods and finding Christian faith convincing, healed of their sickness, going through near-death experience. There is also a big group which is born in a Christian family, encountered Christ personally and becoming a follower of Christ. However, if we interview Christians from different countries, contexts and denominations about their faith and belief system we are sure to get diversified answers that contradicts with the core foundation of the Biblical worldview. Everyone assumes they are right in their understanding of who  Christ and His mission is.

Paul in the letter to Ephesians states, “There is one body, one spirit - just as you were called to one hope at your calling - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”.  Ephesians 4:5-6. Why then there is so much of fragmentation in Christianity? Why there are so much of doctrinal confusion? Why Churches have become institutionalized to an extent that it exists as a religious shrine? Why is Church facility posed as God’s dwelling place? Why attendance to Church on Sundays made to look that it is a qualifier to entering the kingdom of God? Why are offerings and tithes shown as the fulfilment of Christian obligations?  Why Pastors and leaders represent as saviors? If you ponder carefully you would find that there are many more “why’s” that are points of contradiction from the Biblical pattern and principle. Most of the “why’s” are still lingering because of its selfish agenda which is turning Church and His mission into an enterprise.

Let me bring to you what Paul addressed to the Corinthians to your attention. “For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received or different Gospel which you have not accepted you may well put up with it”. 2 Corinthians 11:4 CSB. Eugene Peterson in his message version puts it this way. “It seems that if someone shows up preaching quite another Jesus than we preached—different spirit, different message—you put up with him quite nicely. But if you put up with these big-shot “apostles,” why can’t you put up with simple me? I’m as good as they are. It’s true that I don’t have their voice, haven’t mastered that smooth eloquence that impresses you so much. But when I do open my mouth, I at least know what I’m talking about. We haven’t kept anything back. We let you in on everything.”. Paul is surprised knowing how they were attracted to the people who spoke about another Jesus. People then, and now are still preaching another Jesus. There are still people falling for it and are comfortable with a compromised gospel that preaches Christ no doubt, but robs and negates a person  from being a witness, and obeying the Great Commission. A God who demands from you nothing is just an idol.  

Today, we preach Jesus as a bridge to success through philosophies like, name it and claim it, profess it and possess it, blab it and grab it, declare and decree and many such so called unsupported Christian philosophies. We assume we can achieve whatever we want if we exercise the power to claim for oneself. Where is God's sovereign will in all these? Many Churches today have become a life coaching program center teaching them how to live, how to lead a happy life, how to raise kids, how to pray and get things, how to be blessed. Every testimony shared in the Church of their material success is made to look God has made a better progress in their life compared to some who are still struggling in their day-to-day life. I am not sure if the apostles of Jesus would be seen as blessed or stupid losers. Everything revolves in Christendom around commercialization, business deals and sustaining the cash flow.  Eventually, people have learned to drag  God into it. Don Wilton puts his thoughts so beautifully, “we have become an increasingly idolatrous people. God cannot be pleased. We worship so many of our blessings instead of simply thanking God and enjoying them. We worship sports, celebrities, clothes, money, church buildings, politics, positions, abilities, and capabilities. Idolatry is the worship of anything and anyone other than God.”

The book titled “Third Jesus,” Deepak Chopra talks about transcendental meditation famous in Hindu theology. He states that there is not one Jesus, but three. First, there is the historical Jesus, the man who lived more than two thousand years ago and whose teachings are the foundation of Christian theology and thought. Next there is Jesus the Son of God, who has come to embody an institutional religion with specific dogma, a priesthood, and devout believers. And finally, there is the third Jesus, the cosmic Christ, the spiritual guide whose teaching embraces all humanity, not just the church built in His name. He speaks to the individual who wants to find God as a personal experience, to attain what some might call grace, or God-consciousness, or enlightenment. Ultimately, Chopra argues, Christianity needs to overcome its tendency to be exclusionary and refocus on being a religion of personal insight and spiritual growth. In this way Jesus can be seen for the universal teacher He truly is – someone whose teachings of compassion, tolerance, and understanding can embrace and be embraced by all of us. People like Him in a tactful way subtly attempt to deconstruct the faith of those many so called Christians whose belief system are on everything other the true essence of what Christ taught and entrusted to all.  I wouldn’t blame Deepak Chopra much on this. If in Christendom there are so many who are preaching another Jesus and a different gospel, I am not surprised if people who are not from Christendom take the courage to  skew the truth.

Let us not forget even in Jesus’ time there were big majority of people who clung to another Jesus and a different gospel that satisfied their hunger and addressed their need of the physical body. It is stated in the gospel that a large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs He was performing on those who were sick.  John 6:2 summarizes the result as follows:

1. They followed Him because of the miracles.

2. They exalted Him because of the meals and,

3. They abandoned Him because of the message.

In John 6:66: As a result of this ("this" = all that Jesus had said to them from John 6:26 through John 6:65) many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. Is this not the same today - both in the church and in the world? Mark what Jesus stated, then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24.

Stop preaching another Jesus and a different gospel. How do you know that you are preaching the right Jesus and the correct gospel? Simple, at least 75% of your believers are witnessing Christ and sharing the gospel on a monthly, weekly and a daily basis. May the Lord help us to find the truth. Let us fight against heresies of all kind. 

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When information rules conviction fails!

 

The news of mission and great commission is not a surprise anymore. I don’t believe if someone says people are not well-informed about the great commission. It is not true at all! Over the ages and centuries, we overheard about the mission, missionaries, outreach ministries, mission model, gospel tools, support to the mission field and mission needs. But then, still most of the statistics state that 90% and more Christians have not shared the good news even once in their lifetime.  Do we have an accurate diagnose of the problem yet? Churches, Parachurches & Mission organizations may blame each other for this big problem. All the entities, including the Churches, Mission organizations and believers are responsible to a larger extent for failing to demonstrate the gospel to the dying world. The question is not about effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the churches, believers and Mission organizations, but somewhere we have compromised Christ’s mission with our personal objectives, building our Churches, organizations and institutions. 

The history of the early Churches records that they grew daily in numbers. Observe that the political scenario was not favorable at all for Christians then. They were brutally persecuted and killed for their faith, yet the disciples and the Churches grew in number, daily.

Acts 6:1 state ‘in those days as the disciples were increasing in number.’. And in verse 7 it says, “so the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number.”. Disciple is a strong word not limited to Church attendee who thinks he/she is doing an obligation to God and to the Church. By simple definition the disciple-makers are the disciples. Allow me to explain how a disciple was motivated. In one instance it is said that Paul and Barnabas “strengthened the disciples” by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”. How do we encourage our believers today? We promise God will bless them with all they want and riches of His providence. So as a result, Christians today are more sophisticated expecting abundance, blessings and satisfaction as an end goal. 

In Acts 2:47 talks about the Church growth in Jerusalem which says, “Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”  And then in Derbe and Lystra it is described likewise, “So the Churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.”.  When the disciples grow, Churches grow. Disciples are the one who take the Great Commission seriously and become a witness by sharing the good news. Dan White Jr. puts this beautifully, “Most seminaries don’t disciple people, they inform people. Most Bible studies don’t disciple people, they inform people. Most sermons don’t disciple people, they inform people. Most sermons don’t disciple people, they inform people. Lots of information- very little formation.”.  The Information about disciple, missions has overcrowded Christendom with an agenda. Christian leaders, Churches and missions assume they have informed people well about going, sharing and discipling without modelling, and demonstrating what is the meaning of the true Church. 

Let me quote Ezekiel where God Says, Ezekiel 7:14 “They have blown the trumpet and made everyone ready. But no one goes to battle. For my wrath is on all the multitude”. Is it not strange? Money in abundance is raised, spent, transactions made, yet no one or very few goes to battle. This is the same situation today. I want to metaphorically resemble the sound of the trumpet to the call of believers to go and share Gospel. It is up to each one of us to decide how we want to internalize it. I am in the mission world serving more than 25 years and I see somewhere most of us have become too busy in managing the institutions and securing our personal security and future, and the future of our ministries and organizations. 

And the second reason why all the Churches and believers are not active in sharing the gospel can be related from a unique example given by Paul in his writing to Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 14:8 when referring to tongues states, “If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for the battle?” The trumpet blowers have a specific tune which mobilizes people for war. If it is a soothing tune to a music,  people will be entertained rather than go out to fight the battle. Today many are entertained rather than warned about their failed responsibility. 

Peter and John state Acts 4:20 “for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Paul States in 2 Cor 5:14 “for the love of Christ constrains us”. How could one encounter God and experience the forgiveness and the big salvation and not talk about it. Something is wrong with the puzzle, don’t you agree? Today we have in abundance the various gospel tools, literatures, seminars, strategies and pep talks about how to share the gospel, yet we are struggling to reach our families, relatives, friends and people in our influence. It is time to repent and think how we could prioritize Christ mission  to people without adding our agenda to it, and for sure the hearts of the people will be moved.

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Mistaken Agenda, Misinterpreted Priorities!

 

The story of Jesus saturates the meta-narrative of the Bible. One scholar, J. Barton Payne, has found as many as 574 verses in the Old Testament that somehow point to or describe or reference the coming Messiah. Alfred Edersheim found 456 Old Testament verses referring to the Messiah or His times. Conservatively, Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophecies in His earthly ministry. The pharisees and the priests did realize that Jesus was the fulfilment to all the prophecies concerning Messiah but unwilling to accept Him so. The Sanhedrin, Pharisees, Sadducees, the scribes were operating in a religious institution setup where they were holding tremendous authority and position in the society. But when they found a large crowd following Jesus and accepting Him as Messiah, they were afraid the religious institutions and synagogues will no more be revered, and they will lose their ground. Their fear is portrayed in their remarks which says, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”  John 12:19.

 

Let me highlight some of the mistaken assumption of the disciples, Pharisees, the crowd, the Roman governors regarding Jesus’ agenda:

• To overthrow the Roman kingdom and establish His own Kingdom and restoring the kingdom to Israel.
• Hold on to equal or more power than the government,
• To be the king of the Jews,
• To establish a clear divide between Jew and the gentiles
• To approve and establish the temple concept,
• To build a tent and a shrine for Jesus (In the mount of transfiguration)
• To cater to the largest crowd. 

Assumption 1: Overthrow the Roman Kingdom and Restoring the kingdom to Israel:

 

The disciples assumed that He will at some point overthrow the Roman government and establish a new government. To a larger extent, Judas thought so. And why would he not? He was managing the finance, and he would have soon realized that there is a good portion of power and authority attached to it. Hence, he mistook all of Jesus’ deliberation which included feeding a big crowd, healing all types of sickness, challenging the government, and law enforcement as gaining power to overthrow the government and becoming the king. Even though Jesus demonstrated servant leadership by washing the feet of the disciples, some were subconsciously always expecting that he would restore the kingdom. After the resurrection when Jesus was about to be ascended the disciples at the final moment clarify it.  ‘Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”’ Acts 1:6. Jesus had said lot about His second return and restoring the kingdom, but they mixed this with the present time. And that is why we see Jesus responded by saying “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority” Acts 1:7. And then, Jesus gives them the supplementary commission in verse 8 of Acts 1, “You will be my witnesses”.  We are still getting it wrong; don’t you think so? Today it is all about establishing our own jurisdiction, little kingdom for Churches and Christian Organizations. Disagree with me if it is not the case. Denominational powers, positions, dynasty are so evident in Christendom, making it similar like any other religious bodies existing. 

 

Assumption 2: To be King of the Jews:

 

The people mistook Jesus’ agenda like others. Seeing Him feeding the big crowd of more than 10,000 people at one time with just a handful of meal of the little boy. The crowd was trying to take Jesus by force and crown Him to be the king. The reaction of Jesus is recorded in John 6:15 “Therefore when Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him King, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.”. Today we don’t have a dearth of Christian celebrities whose sole moto is to make their followers worship them as heroes. When Jesus knew the intention of people he slipped away from the crowd. But celebrity pastors / leaders today ensure a coronation ceremony is prepared every time to be heard and known for a larger crowd, nationally and internationally. 

 

Assumption 3: To establish his own nation:

 

Pilate the governor thought too, that Jesus is the leader of the Jewish Nation. During the trail He said “Your own nation and the chief priests handed over to me. What have you done? Jesus had to immediately clarify by saying “My kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:35-36. It would have been shocking for Pilate to hear what Jesus responded. Probably the Roman government have heard a lot of Jesus going to be the king. Even the riding on the donkey which generally indicates the trait of one becoming a king. But what he would have failed to understand is when Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of the world,” that it is not for now. 

 

Assumption 4: To be a powerful team:

 

The disciples when soon realized that Jesus had tremendous power to heal any sickness and cast demons, wanted to be identified as a powerful team. They probably believed Jesus will endorse exercising their power at any situation at any given point. In one instance when they enter a Samaritan village it says they did not receive Him. Immediately James and John say, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” John 9:54. There are so much undue powers exercised by Churches and Christian organization that only feeds their agenda. Mega Churches pastors/leadership team are like gods and demi-gods. Such Churches/organizations, pastors and leaders have become become brands. People are made to feel that they lose if they don’t make it on Sunday.  And this has only widened the gap more between the clergy and laity, Missions and responsibility.

 

Assumption 5: To keep racial and multicultural distinction:

 

While the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Scribes believed to keep the divide between Jew and the non-Jew, Jesus breaks it by going to the Samaritans and sharing the good news of the Kingdom. He broke anything that would bring a divide between any groups of people who were downcast and poor. How is the situation today? Are we still not divided by caste, race, culture and then superficially display feigned love to the world? In the book of James, he addresses on the sin of division. James 2:2-7, “If someone come into your meeting wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes…”, how do we treat them in comparison to the normal person visiting the fellowship. The attention and focus immediately falls on such group.  They soon will be consulted for every decision in the Church. They become the voice in the group.  These are not just happening subtly, but outrightly. We boast about them and exalt them Sunday after Sunday because they happen to be the prime source of income. 

 

Assumption 6: To approve and establish the temple concept:

 

The temple dignitaries were not happy because Jesus was rebuking them on the superficialities, meaningless rituals, on observing laws, obligations and on the concept of Sabbath. They were holding the synagogue as private membership for the Jews who abide by the laws and do not question them. We see a man in the Bible in John Chapter 9, who was born blind and was healed by Jesus. But when the parents were interrogated by the temple priests and leaders. They were not willing to take a stand and endorse how their son was healed because it is recorded that they were scared they will be thrown out of the synagogue. Jesus was not the one to approve the institution which was soon turning to be a business and power center. Jesus soon predicted the demolition of the temple which happened in AD 70. If you still believe that Sunday meeting place is the holy sanctuary and is the Church, then you have miserably failed in your understanding of Church. I have addressed this in many of my previous blogs, the true concept of Church. Christ never meant the building facility to be the Church. The grandest temple was running parallel while Jesus the Lord of the temple was in their midst. Therefore, before the end of His time on this earth, He predicted the demolition of the greatest temple.  Meeting together is not wrong at all. But when the purpose of meeting is not met, then there is a problem. How is the Church body carrying out Christ’s mission today? Churches exist for themselves for Christians alone. We are deaf and dumb to the crying world.

 

Assumption 7: Establish a mega Church Model:

 

Jesus was always moving from one place to another. He went through the village, towns, and cities to share the good news. Study shows that Jesus visited close to 175 towns and villages of Galilee. He never meant to institutionalize Church and generate funds and then connect to the Mission. It was the other way around. When we see in Mark 1: 35-36 Jesus was in a deserted place praying and the disciples find Him and inform Him that the crowd is waiting for Him. The disciples assumed Jesus would prefer to address a crowd from where He is and continue with the follow up meetings like what we have on Sundays. But Jesus had to immediately abandon the idea of staying there and wanted to go to a different place where they are yet to hear the good news. We assume staying in one place where opportunity opens to build a structure in spaces and call it a Church. Hence, many Churches are doing a life coaching program without equipping their congregation to get out of the comfort zone, be a Church, and include the people in their empty space. 

 

These are some of the mistaken agendas we follow and settle with a new religion calling it Christianity. Money, power, fame, building a kingdom, income generation programs have become the underlying agenda in Christendom sadly. The actual gospel is manipulated and muddled by the so-called Christian giants who have made the mission their profit and Church an income generation coaching center. It is time to repent and realign our agenda with Christ’s agenda. Jesus’ coming to this earth is to seek and save the lost. Unless all our initiatives are aligned to this, we are doomed and waiting for God’s wrath to descend upon us. Today our priorities have completely shifted. We are no more a witness for the gospel, but just settled with the Christian name. If you have not reached someone with the gospel and lead someone to Christ in your lifetime, then it is time to check your Christian faith. If your Church is not missional then it is going towards a slow death.

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